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C1789
A Fish of New South Wales.
Artist:
Rare First Fleet engraving of a mackrel. “Of this fish it can only be said, that the ground colour is much the same as that of our mackarel, marked with several round, blue and white spots and that, in the … Read Full Description
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Details
Full Title:
A Fish of New South Wales.
Date:
C1789
Artist:
Condition:
In good condition
Technique:
Copper engraving.
Image Size:
265mm
x 200mm
Paper Size:
288mm
x 219mm
AUTHENTICITY
Genuine antique
dated:
1789
Description:
Rare First Fleet engraving of a mackrel.
“Of this fish it can only be said, that the ground colour is much the same as that of our mackarel, marked with several round, blue and white spots and that, in the plate, it is represented faithfully from a drawing by Daniel Butler sent from New South Wales, where it is in great plenty, and is thought to taste much like a dolphin. As to the genus, it is difficult to say with certainty to which it belongs, as it is deficient in the characteristics of those generally known it is therefore left to the reader to settle this matter according to his own opinion.”
From Governor Phillips, Voyage to Botany Bay.
References:
Ferguson, J. A. Bibliography of Australia Volumes 1-8, Canberra 1976 47.
Wantrup, J. Australian Rare Books. Sydney 1987 #5. pp.59-64, pp.127-128, p.345-5, ill. p.63.
McCormick, T. First Views of Australia 1788-1825. Sydney 1987.
Collections:
State Library Victoria: RARELTF 994.02 P54V
National Gallery Victoria: Bib ID 1807715
British Library London: Shelfmark: C.47.i.10.
Royal Collection Trust UK: RCIN 1142204
Daniel Butler (1772 - )
Butler was a sketcher and seaman, who served aboard the Prince of Wales in the First Fleet. His cousin Daniel Southwell was midshipman in the Sirius . When Southwell received a report from 'one of our Gents, who came a good part of the voyage in the P.W.’ that Butler was 'quite the servant and bang’d about (I think) by the mate’, Southwell told his fellow midshipman Matthew Alt to ask his uncle, the surveyor-general-to-be Augustus Alt , to watch out for young Butler’s interests.
